At least 29 political prisoners in Belarus have been sentenced to 20 years or more in prison. The figures, current as of July 22, were published by the Viasna Human Rights Center.
According to human rights defenders, those convicted include two women and four foreign nationals. At least six political prisoners received additional prison terms while already serving their sentences under Article 411 of the Criminal Code on persistent disobedience to the administration of a correctional facility.
Most of the lengthy sentences are linked to charges under the article on an “act of terrorism.” According to human rights defenders, 25 people were convicted under this article, 10 on charges of “high treason,” and another three under the article on “agent activity.”
The longest overall sentence, taking into account several convictions, was handed down to Viachaslau Maleichuk — a total of 26 years and 10 months in prison. In May 2022, Maleichuk was sentenced to 22 years in prison under the article on “preparing terrorist attacks.” He was later given additional prison terms under the article on “disobedience” to the prison administration.
Human rights defenders cite several of the best-known cases, including the “Autukhovich case.” Mikalai Autukhovich was sentenced to 25 years in prison, while Volha Maiorava, Paval Sava, and Halina Derbysh, who was later “pardoned” and expelled from Belarus, received 20 years each. Maiorava and Uladzimir Hundar, who was initially sentenced to 18 years, were later given additional prison terms. Viktar Sniehur was retried twice, increasing his total sentence to 22.5 years.
The publication also mentions Ukrainian citizens Siarhei and Paval Kabarchuk, who were sentenced to 20 years in prison in a “sabotage” case; Ukrainian citizen Ivan Likholat, who also received 20 years in prison; Russian citizen Aleksei Kulikov; and Belarusian citizen Vadzim Patsenka, who were sentenced to 23 and 21 years, respectively, in a case involving the alleged preparation of acts of “sabotage” in Hrodna.
Paval Vabishchevich and Andrei Zinenka were sentenced to 23 and 12 years in a maximum-security penal colony for allegedly attempting to blow up a railway line near Stoubtsy. Dzmitry Asiyuk, a resident of Biaroza, received 20 years in prison under Part 3 of Article 289 of the Criminal Code (act of terrorism), Part 4 of Article 309 (intentional disabling of a vehicle), Parts 3 and 4 of Article 295 (illegal handling of firearms, ammunition, and explosives), and Part 3 of Article 207 (robbery).
Yauhen Hruk and Viktar Yaskich were convicted under Article 289 of the Criminal Code (act of terrorism) and Article 295 of the Criminal Code (illegal handling of firearms, ammunition, and explosives). Yauhen was sentenced to 24 years in a penal colony, while Viktar’s sentence remains unknown. Yauhen’s wife, Ukrainian citizen Lidziya Hruk, was detained together with him. She was released on November 22, 2025, after receiving a pardon.
Among other political prisoners serving lengthy sentences, Viasna names defendants in the “Anarcho-Partisans case,” the “Haidukevich case,” and the “OGSB case,” as well as spouses Dzmitry and Volha Kapuz, who were sentenced to 24 and 21 years, respectively.